Two women have been arrested on reckless conduct charges after authorities said they gave excessive amounts of medication to children at a North Hall County daycare.
Hall County Sheriff's Office Spokesperson B.J. Williams said Stacie Fuller Young, age 51 of Gainesville, and her daughter-in-law, Ptiery Verby-Sunshine Edge, age 35, were both arrested Monday. She said the investigation into the daycare on Odum Smallwood Road started in mid-December.
"A local pediatrician had conducted bloodwork on two children at the request of a parent who was worried that the children were lethargic and irritable and had been sleeping more than usual. This is something that had been going on for a time," Williams said. "The bloodwork basically determined that both of those children had elevated levels of both melatonin and Benadryl in their bodies, and the Benadryl levels were described as in the high range."
Williams said investigators determined that the children were receiving doses of both medications daily before their nap time at the daycare. She said Young and Edge were charged with misdemeanor reckless conduct and not felonies because the medication levels were not considered to be toxic.
Young and Edge were both released on $5,200 bond each Monday evening. So far, Williams said no charges have been filed related to similar cases with any other children who attended the daycare, but she said the investigation remains active.
"Anybody who has information that might be pertinent to this case is asked to get in touch with the lead investigator," Williams said.
Investigator Mefferd can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at 770-533-7690.
